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JAPAN TRAVEL BUDGET GUIDE | PART 1: TRANSPORTATION

I was supposed to do a single post for budget (food, shopping, sightseeing, etc) but as soon as I finished editing my photos, I realized how long and dragging it would be (both for me to write and for you to read) so I decided to break it down into different parts instead.

Will just add links at the end of this post as soon as I'm done with them all.

Also, instead of telling you how much money you need to allot for traveling around Japan, I've decided to share the price of basic travel necessities (+ some extras) instead so you can tailor it for your own needs.

Budget really depends on travel style so I think this method will work better for everyone when planning a trip.

Case in point: We travelled as 3 friends, same itinerary. At the end of the trip, one friend spent only Php27k, another Php60k and another about Php90k

Read more to find out the best travel alternatives + lessons I learned from our mistakes.

The best way to get around Japan is still via Subway however, there are different ways to go about this. You can purchase your ticket trip by trip (I highly discourage this method unless you're only planning to stay in a certain city for a day or two)

TIP: Most frequented tourist sites fall within the Tokyo Metro and Toei route so you should be okay unless you've got other plans than the norm.

If you prefer to purchase single trip subway tickets, here are one-way rates:

- their minimum is about 160 YEN (Php 73) that covers around 4 stops,

- beyond that will cost you an average of 240 YEN (Php 110).

- And for long side trips to let's say NARA/YOKOHAMA or riding 'til the end of the route (about an hour), that will cost you 560 YEN (Php255.50)

CONS: Extremely confusing and time consuming! In some areas, subway guides are written completely in Japanese so unless you know Kanji, just figuring out how much money you need to put into the ticket machine could take you anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes. There's also the chance of making a mistake. When that happens, you need to go to a FARE ADJUSTMENT machine at your exit to make additional payments.

PROS: Could come out cheaper if you're just staying for a couple days.

BUT THEN AGAIN...

Here's what I consider to be the best option and our first mistake...Not getting a SUICA CARD!

Wether you're staying for 2 days or 10, in terms of convenience, I think this is the way to go. If you're worried about not being able to consume the entire amount, don't be. Just like the Octopus Card, you can also use the SUICA to pay for food and other stuff.

PROS: The most convenient option! Good for all lines across Japan.CONS: Pay per trip, no unlimited ride option unlike the 72 hour tourist pass.

NEXT MISTAKE: Not taking the bus around Kyoto

Kyoto only has 2 lines but despite this fact, this is the city we got lost in the most. We took the subway during our entire stay. On our last day, while waiting to leave for our night bus to Tokyo, I came across this BUS STOP (FML):

THE RAKU BUS is a special tourist bus that has stops at all the popular tourist destinations!

And they only charge a flat rate of 230 YEN (Php 105) for adults, 120 YEN (Php 55) for children!PROS: Cheap! And you don't need to walk long distances from the Subway Station, you arrive right where you need to be wether it's at the heart of Gion, Kiyomizu Temple, etc!

CONS: They say it could get crowded sometimes (but so does the subway).

If you just want to experience riding it, take a short route for only YEN 1000 (one-way)

TAXI FARE

When all else fails, it's late at night, raining and you still can't find your hostel or AirBnb (or you've had too much fun drinking at a club and didn't realize that the subway's already closed), I think it's fair time to hail a cab.

But I warn you, it's expensive. Flag down is around YEN 400 (Php 182). In Osaka, we took a cab cause we couldn't find our apartment. The whole trip lasted about 5 minutes around a single block (face palm moment) and it already cost us YEN 800 (Php 365)!

And finally, once you're done with your trip and you find yourself and your bags are 10x heavier than when you first arrived, the most reasonable and stress-free way to head to the airport is via bus: Friendly Airport Limousine.

You can take the subway but I strongly discourage it. Some stations don't have elevators or escalators and there's not a single walkalator (we had to carry our luggage up 6 flights of stairs on more than 1 occasion, not fun nor easy)!

You can purchase your ticket on the same day and it only costs YEN 3100 + there's an elevator/escalator all the way up to the bus stop! Halleluja!

For those staying in Shibuya, you can get yours at the Shibuya Excel Hotel at the 6th floor) it's the mall behind Hachiko. The bus stop is also at the same location.

And one final tip, no matter how busy you are, study your routes ahead of time. The subway can get pretty confusing. Also, there aren't any free subway maps in Osaka and Kyoto so best to print your own copy ahead of time. Oh, and lastly, don't be afraid to ask for directions and don't be surprised if the locals go out of their way accompany you to wherever it is you're going. The Japanese are super nice, accommodating, helpful and polite.

Comments

Awesome! Bookmarking everything about Japan from ur site... Planning for this dream trip in the next year or two! Thank u for all these transpo tips, very useful indeed. Btw, how many days should we ideally stay in Japan to cover most of if not all of the attractions and topr tourist destinations? TIA!

Japan is on our family's travel list- we were considering to go there this year. However we are a bit skeptic bringing our young kids since it may entail a lot of walking! I'll surely list down your tips and read up again when we've decided to go.

I'll come back to this page when we're going to plan a Japan trip. Whenever we go to Japan, it's always SIL taking the lead because she's been there so many times. I would need this guide if we're going without her.

Wow, reading your post kind of worried me! I didn't realize that Japan can get quite confusing, especially since I always thought it was very foreigner friendly! Will remember your post when (or if!) I go. Thank you for sharing!

I am curious on who spent which. :) I have a friend who travelled to Japan with the entire family (I think all 8 of them) and she mentioned how expensive the shinkansen was. I love the night bus and how it doubles as an accommodation. I'd remember to study the routes when we, one day, get to travel to Japan. Oh, I love reading maps. :)

We were in Japan last month and it was definitely all worth it. Didnt get to try the bus,(how i wish we did), we were all subways and walks, it was tiring but worth it.Im glad i came across your site for future reference...bookmarking

JAPAN TRAVEL BUDGET GUIDE | PART 1: TRANSPORTATION

I was supposed to do a single post for budget (food, shopping, sightseeing, etc) but as soon as I finished editing my photos, I realized how long and dragging it would be (both for me to write and for you to read) so I decided to break it down into different parts instead.

Will just add links at the end of this post as soon as I'm done with them all.

Also, instead of telling you how much money you need to allot for traveling around Japan, I've decided to share the price of basic travel necessities (+ some extras) instead so you can tailor it for your own needs.

Budget really depends on travel style so I think this method will work better for everyone when planning a trip.

Case in point: We travelled as 3 friends, same itinerary. At the end of the trip, one friend spent only Php27k, another Php60k and another about Php90k

Read more to find out the best travel alternatives + lessons I learned from our mistakes.

The best way to get around Japan is still via Subway however, there are different ways to go about this. You can purchase your ticket trip by trip (I highly discourage this method unless you're only planning to stay in a certain city for a day or two)

TIP: Most frequented tourist sites fall within the Tokyo Metro and Toei route so you should be okay unless you've got other plans than the norm.

If you prefer to purchase single trip subway tickets, here are one-way rates:

- their minimum is about 160 YEN (Php 73) that covers around 4 stops,

- beyond that will cost you an average of 240 YEN (Php 110).

- And for long side trips to let's say NARA/YOKOHAMA or riding 'til the end of the route (about an hour), that will cost you 560 YEN (Php255.50)

CONS: Extremely confusing and time consuming! In some areas, subway guides are written completely in Japanese so unless you know Kanji, just figuring out how much money you need to put into the ticket machine could take you anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes. There's also the chance of making a mistake. When that happens, you need to go to a FARE ADJUSTMENT machine at your exit to make additional payments.

PROS: Could come out cheaper if you're just staying for a couple days.

BUT THEN AGAIN...

Here's what I consider to be the best option and our first mistake...Not getting a SUICA CARD!

Wether you're staying for 2 days or 10, in terms of convenience, I think this is the way to go. If you're worried about not being able to consume the entire amount, don't be. Just like the Octopus Card, you can also use the SUICA to pay for food and other stuff.

PROS: The most convenient option! Good for all lines across Japan.CONS: Pay per trip, no unlimited ride option unlike the 72 hour tourist pass.

NEXT MISTAKE: Not taking the bus around Kyoto

Kyoto only has 2 lines but despite this fact, this is the city we got lost in the most. We took the subway during our entire stay. On our last day, while waiting to leave for our night bus to Tokyo, I came across this BUS STOP (FML):

THE RAKU BUS is a special tourist bus that has stops at all the popular tourist destinations!

And they only charge a flat rate of 230 YEN (Php 105) for adults, 120 YEN (Php 55) for children!PROS: Cheap! And you don't need to walk long distances from the Subway Station, you arrive right where you need to be wether it's at the heart of Gion, Kiyomizu Temple, etc!

CONS: They say it could get crowded sometimes (but so does the subway).

If you just want to experience riding it, take a short route for only YEN 1000 (one-way)

TAXI FARE

When all else fails, it's late at night, raining and you still can't find your hostel or AirBnb (or you've had too much fun drinking at a club and didn't realize that the subway's already closed), I think it's fair time to hail a cab.

But I warn you, it's expensive. Flag down is around YEN 400 (Php 182). In Osaka, we took a cab cause we couldn't find our apartment. The whole trip lasted about 5 minutes around a single block (face palm moment) and it already cost us YEN 800 (Php 365)!

And finally, once you're done with your trip and you find yourself and your bags are 10x heavier than when you first arrived, the most reasonable and stress-free way to head to the airport is via bus: Friendly Airport Limousine.

You can take the subway but I strongly discourage it. Some stations don't have elevators or escalators and there's not a single walkalator (we had to carry our luggage up 6 flights of stairs on more than 1 occasion, not fun nor easy)!

You can purchase your ticket on the same day and it only costs YEN 3100 + there's an elevator/escalator all the way up to the bus stop! Halleluja!

For those staying in Shibuya, you can get yours at the Shibuya Excel Hotel at the 6th floor) it's the mall behind Hachiko. The bus stop is also at the same location.

And one final tip, no matter how busy you are, study your routes ahead of time. The subway can get pretty confusing. Also, there aren't any free subway maps in Osaka and Kyoto so best to print your own copy ahead of time. Oh, and lastly, don't be afraid to ask for directions and don't be surprised if the locals go out of their way accompany you to wherever it is you're going. The Japanese are super nice, accommodating, helpful and polite.

Comments

Awesome! Bookmarking everything about Japan from ur site... Planning for this dream trip in the next year or two! Thank u for all these transpo tips, very useful indeed. Btw, how many days should we ideally stay in Japan to cover most of if not all of the attractions and topr tourist destinations? TIA!

Japan is on our family's travel list- we were considering to go there this year. However we are a bit skeptic bringing our young kids since it may entail a lot of walking! I'll surely list down your tips and read up again when we've decided to go.

I'll come back to this page when we're going to plan a Japan trip. Whenever we go to Japan, it's always SIL taking the lead because she's been there so many times. I would need this guide if we're going without her.

Wow, reading your post kind of worried me! I didn't realize that Japan can get quite confusing, especially since I always thought it was very foreigner friendly! Will remember your post when (or if!) I go. Thank you for sharing!

I am curious on who spent which. :) I have a friend who travelled to Japan with the entire family (I think all 8 of them) and she mentioned how expensive the shinkansen was. I love the night bus and how it doubles as an accommodation. I'd remember to study the routes when we, one day, get to travel to Japan. Oh, I love reading maps. :)

We were in Japan last month and it was definitely all worth it. Didnt get to try the bus,(how i wish we did), we were all subways and walks, it was tiring but worth it.Im glad i came across your site for future reference...bookmarking